(NECN: Anya Huneke, West Addison, VT) - Last fall, the Champlain Bridge, a major artery connecting Vermont and New York, was suddenly shut down -- after engineers deemed it unsafe.
Commuters were left with no easy way between Addison and Crown Point, and area businesses suffered as traffic dwindled. But, last month, a temporary ferry service was launched.
Boarding the ferry to go from West Addison, Vermont, to Crown Point, New York, Bob Blaise settled into his weekly routine.
His business, buying and selling livestock and equipment, is run from both sides of Lake Champlain.
So, when the deteriorating Champlain Bridge was demolished late last year, he and many others were left in the lurch -- until last month, when Vermont and NY transportation officials launched a temporary free ferry service nearby.
Local
The total trip takes about 15 minutes from boarding to crossing to disembarking. It's certainly longer than driving across a bridge, but nothing compared to the detours many were forced to take before this service was available.
Local businesses have started to rebound now that traffic is moving once again.
The ferry will run 24 hours a day, seven days a week until the new bridge is up. Construction starts this spring.
